The A La Baie Metis Local 21, N-14 Fur Trappers Association, and the Ile a la Crosse Fisherman’s Cooperative have all joined the Northern Village of Ile a la Crosse in signing the agreement to come together on any matters affecting the local land.
Metis local president Brennan Merasty says community leaders have been working on this agreement since 2011.
“We feel it is very important that we come together. It strengthens our leadership position. It brings the minds of each organization together to deal with the issues of land and resources and it betters our community.”
Merasty also said he has seen successful agreements like this one in other communities.
“The community of Pinehouse has had success in their community through a partnership with their Metis local,” said Merasty. “Look at the most recent one with the Lac La Ronge Indian Band and their trappers coming together and going head-to-head against SaskPower and getting a contribution agreement for their trappers.”
The possibility of an MOU was first discussed after members of the public had brought forward concerns about logging in the region.
“But why stop at logging?” asked Merasty. “There is so much land and resources in northern Saskatchewan. Ile a la Crosse is a historic community and place. We have so many land users — hunters, fishers, trappers — so the leaders have to come together and listen to them and protect their rights.”
In a news release, the parties of the MOU said they had a meeting with Carrier Wood Products on proposed logging in the area and the meeting was very positive.
Leaders hope the signing of the agreement will signal to government and industry proponents that the MOU will govern proposed land uses going forward.